The Ukrainian armed forces disclosed a successful sea drone strike, resulting in the sinking of a Russian patrol ship in the Black Sea near Crimea.
Operatives from Ukraine’s intelligence unit, Group 13, utilized Magura V5 maritime drones to target Sergey Kotov near the Kerch Strait. The attack inflicted significant damage on the vessel’s rear, right, and left flanks, culminating in its sinking from fire-related damages, with costs estimated at $65 million.
During a televised announcement, navy representative Dmytro Pletenchuk hinted at the possible presence of a helicopter aboard the sunken ship.
Reuters or any other news agency could not independently verify these events, and responses from the Russian defence ministry were pending. Confirmations of the sinking came from Russian military bloggers and the VChK-OGPU Telegram channel, noting failed towing efforts.
The assault underscores Ukraine’s escalated activities in the Black Sea and Crimea, a territory seized by Russia in 2014. A major Russian landing craft fell victim to naval drones in February, marking a pattern of aggression. The Sergey Kotov itself was previously attacked in September 2023. Following Russia’s invasion two years ago, comparable ships have suffered damage, leading to the decommissioning of two vessels, Pletenchuk notes.
The transportation across the Kerch Strait was briefly halted and then resumed. Moscow-installed Crimean officials confirmed the disruption. With Russia holding nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy highlighted Ukraine’s regained control in the Black Sea, pushing back the Russian fleet.
